Bed skirts are in a crisis. Their aesthetic doesn’t go well with modern bedrooms and we’d rather not deal with cleaning and maintaining those frilly covers. It makes better sense to use bed skirt alternatives with better functionality and aesthetics.
Even hotels have had enough of the old-fashioned bed skirts and are moving to better options. Besides, with the increasing shift towards platform beds and their benefits, the good old bed skirt is in the twilight of its career.
Let’s take a look at some of the best options and alternatives to bed skirts.
Best Commercial Bed Skirt Alternatives For 2021
The industry has kept pace with consumers looking away from bed skirts. If traditional bed skirts could be anthropomorphized, they’d be lonely with few friends, if any at all. On the other hand, the modern bed skirt gets plenty of love.
It isn’t something revolutionary, the modern bed skirt is more in tune with modern sensibilities for design and fashion.
1. The Modern Bed Skirt
The modern bed skirt usually skips the frills to favor a cleaner look. It could be a traditional-style full bed covering with a plain skirt, or more simply, wrap around bed skirts. The latter is often more liked and easier to use.
Giving the skirt a quick wrap around the bed is way easier than other options. The skirt in these cases is usually held in place by velcro or similar mechanisms. Quick and easy.
Here are a few options, including full-length covers and wraparounds.
Amazon Basics Pleated Bed Skirt
This is a modern bed skirt with traditional styling. It covers the bed and then the drop flows down. The 16-inch drop is enough to cover a box spring, or storage space, or bed risers. Made from polyester, the pleated bed skirt is available in several colors.
Its fabric isn’t exactly impressive, but it does the job. As with most modern bed skirts, it covers three sides of the bed, without covering the headboard side. Amazon Basics Pleated Bed Skirt makes allowances for a footboard, so it won’t be a problem.
ShopBedding Ashton Detachable Bedskirt
ShopBedding Ashton Detachable Bedskirt gets ease of use right. The skirt has a 14-inch drop to handle box springs, bed risers, or their alternatives.
It attaches to the bed using velcro, making it easy to remove or place this modern bed skirt. For this feature, the package includes a “platform.” It is very similar to a fitted sheet, but with velcro attachments for the skirt. The first-time setup can take some effort, since you’ll have to place the platform. Once that is done, adding and removing the bed skirt is a matter of working with velcro.
The bed skirt is available in several colors and offers options for drop length.
2. A Box Spring Wrap
A box spring wrap’s use is quite straightforward – it’s a fabric that covers the box spring. It’s also known as a box spring cover and has a few similar names. Unlike a bed skirt, this wrap won’t hide any space under the bed. Its job is to cover the box spring.
The wrap is quite useful if you want to hide an unsightly box spring. It’s a classy option, with the drawback that it’s difficult to put on. Once it’s in position, the box spring wrap rarely needs any maintenance and adjustments.
Alyvia Spring Box Spring Cover
This is a stretchable box spring cover made from polyester with touches of spandex to keep it in position. The cover is designed for conventional box springs, ranging 8-9 inches in height. It includes elastics in the package to allow for some adjustments for lower box springs.
Alyvia Spring Box Spring Cover is stretchy and feels good to the touch. While it requires a bit of effort to set up, the minimal everyday maintenance makes this cover a very attractive option.
3. The Bed Wrap – A Wrap Around Bed Skirts Alternative
In my opinion, the bed wrap is the most elegant bed skirt alternative. Functionally, it’s quite similar to a box spring wrap and many people would put them in the same category. What sets a wrap apart is that it doesn’t necessarily need a box spring. It can work with the bed frame.
Standard Textile Circa Bed Wrap, Modern Bed Skirt Alternative
Standard Textile Circa Bed Wrap, Modern Bed Skirt Alternative is a looker. Circa Bed Wrap has a one-piece design that creates a near-tailored fit around bed frames or box springs.
The use of a high-quality and durable fabric adds to its looks. While most bed skirts and alternatives use thin fabrics, Circa uses a thick fabric without any pleats or frills. The wrap covers three sides of the bed and might cover the drop, depending on bed height. It works well with beds 12” to 16” in height.
Circa Bed Wrap includes straps to hold it in place, thus minimizing regular maintenance. It doesn’t work well with adjustable beds or beds with foot rails and attached headboards. Wall-mounted headboards are acceptable.
Top Elegant And Effective DIY Bed Skirt Alternatives
Here are a few ideas that can work as bed skirt alternatives. They generally fall into two categories – replace the bed skirt entirely or make managing it easier.
In many cases, we still need the functionality of bed skirts. Box springs rarely have a classy finish for the bedroom and thus benefit from bed skirts. Similarly, those using the space under the bed for storage can use the skirt to cover up the clutter.
There are plenty of reasons to use a bed skirt and its proper alternatives. So, take a look at the options here and see what works best for you.
1. A Fitted Bed Sheet
The unassuming fitted bed sheet can come in handy as a bed skirt alternative. Only this time, rather than putting the sheet on the mattress, put it under the mattress. Fitted bed sheets are usually built to cover mattresses (or box springs) up to 15-inches high.
There are other height options as well, so take a good look at the dimensions before you buy. For best results, pick a sheet that’s thick or has dark colors. These can prevent the box spring or its print from showing through the sheets.
This method is simple, straightforward, and inexpensive. It gives the room a clean, buttoned-up look and you can work with several colors to find the right fit. For example, you could color-match the sheet with the comforter, drapes or curtains, or the bedroom paint.
The Problem Points To Note
First off, using a fitted sheet with a box spring isn’t the most elegant solution. If the sheet isn’t the right fit, it will be obvious on the box spring. The sheet won’t cover the bed frame and unless you hit the right combination, it might allow the box spring to show through.
Finally, there are a lot of things box springs are known for. Being lightweight isn’t one of them. Imagine the hassle of putting a fitted sheet over a box spring.
2. A Flat Sheet
Using a flat sheet will require some initial work during setup, but it can be a whole lot better than using a fitted sheet. You’ll need an oversized bedsheet for use as a bed skirt alternative.
That part is simple enough for most beds, but a bit more challenging if you have a king or Cal king bed. Generally speaking, you probably do have the right sheet for the job available at home.
Before placing it, ensure that the bedsheet blocks the colors or patterns of the box spring from showing through. Solid, dark colors and good patterns usually do the trick. Place the sheet under the mattress and let it fall over the box spring.
I wouldn’t suggest tucking it under the box spring. That’s a lot of work and may not be a fruitful effort.
It might be better to fold it right and let it hang, much like a bed skirt. Folding and sewing it at the right length and size works great. There are other ways too, like this tutorial that got the bed skirt going without the need of sewing or stapling.
I’ve seen someone staple it to the box spring and get great results. Staples keep the sheet taut and hold everything in place. Handled right, the finish is beautiful. None of that changes the fact that stapling is overkill and could damage the sheet, box spring, or both.
On the plus side, you get to customize the patterning, finish, and design of this bed skirt alternative. Color it, paint it, pleat it, keep it flat, dye it, and let your creativity fly. The sheet is your canvas!
Problem Points Of Using A Flat Sheet As A Bed Skirt Alternative
Using a flat sheet comes with its own set of problems. Putting in a sheet reduces friction between the box spring and the mattress. This will lead to the mattress moving and requiring regular adjustments. By extension, the flat sheet will require regular adjustments too.
If you miss proper finishing, it might look too flat or shabby. In any case, this might end up needing a lot more work than is otherwise necessary – even when compared to old-fashioned bed skirts.
3. DIY Bed Skirt With Curtains (Valance)
Curtains or valances lend themselves quite well as bed skirt alternatives. They don’t require a whole lot of effort. Plus, you can get most of the work done without putting in too much elbow grease.
Using these is simple enough. Measure three sides of the bed (excluding the one with the headboard). We can skip this side because it’s either covered by a headboard or placed against a wall. Either way, it doesn’t need a bed skirt.
Once you’ve got the measurements, buy valance curtains to fit the length. Buy some extra length, so you don’t run short.
There are two ways to go about this.
- Get three valance curtains, one for each side of the bed. Put them all together for a good finish.
- Buy valance curtains for your chosen (custom) lengths. Drape them around the bed and put joints or sew curtains together where needed.
Of course, you can also use any curtain or fabric you have lying around the house for a similar effect. The important part here is the finish. Get it right and just about any fabric will look good as the bed skirt.
When using an approach like this, don’t forget the drop. This is the measurement from the top of the box spring to the floor. In absence of a box spring, this measurement goes from the base of the mattress to the floor. This is the height that any bed skirt or its alternatives must cover.
Remember to make allowances for any folding or tucking required. This includes the fabric needed to tuck the bed skirt under the mattress or over the box spring.
Things To Know When Using Valance Curtains
Valance curtains as bed skirts work well for those who know their way around fabrics, sewing, and similar skills. It requires some effort but you get plenty of options and possibilities for customization.
For the downside, this can run more expensive and time-consuming than conventional bed skirts and commercial alternatives. Unless you want something that specific, this may not be the best path.
4. Don’t Store Anything Under The Bed And Skip The Skirt
If you have a platform bed that’s riding close to the floor, you can skip the bed skirt. In this scenario, there is nothing to cover under the bed.
However, things change a bit if you have a conventional bed with storage underneath. These beds usually need a bed skirt to hide the clutter of stored items under them. Even if you’ve organized things nicely, it won’t look the best without a bed skirt.
Foregoing the storage space is an option here. It adds to a clean look for the bedroom and removes the need for a bed skirt.
The negative here is having to give up the under-bed storage space. It shouldn’t be a problem if you have adequate storage. But, if you must utilize the under-bed storage, a bed skirt is your friend.
5. Show Off That Bed Frame
With many modern beds, you can proudly show off the bed frame. Modern platform beds ride close to the ground and have elegant frames that don’t need bed skirts. Show off that classy frame!
If you aren’t using a box spring and have a bed with a beautiful frame, show it off! Or, you could go a step further and add a frame to your existing bed. Frames usually have spots to attach headboards and footboards.
Use them! Maybe also add something to the sides and give the bed a complete makeover. Of course, the equation changes if you’ve got a box spring. Unless there’s a way to cover it with the frame – and there usually isn’t – it’s time to pick a bed skirt-type solution.
6. A DIY Box Spring Cover With Rugs Or Padded Material
You could fashion a bed wrap or box spring wrap with materials like rugs or padding.
If you choose to use a rug, a plain and thin one could do the trick. In case it has a pattern, there’s a need to be more careful in alignment. This process is quite similar to using a textile bed wrap. Except, it’s with a rug so you’ll need more expertise.
The difficult part here is securing it to the box spring. Gluing it on isn’t the best way, so what’s left is using a staple gun or pins to hold it. That works, but you’ll have to be careful about not damaging the box spring. Also, there might be occasion to remove the rug, in which case, those staples and pins will feel a lot more painful!
Working with a padded material is similar. Start with a lightweight polyester batting like this one and take it around the box spring or bed frame. Cover it with a fabric of your choice and secure it to the box spring or bed frame. Using staples or pins could work well here.
The Downside To Consider
Using a rug or padding can give a luxurious look to your bedroom. That said, this is a very complex way to go about things and perhaps not that suited to DIY. It’s best not to employ these methods unless you’ve got experience working with furniture and upholstery.
They will give a luxurious look to the bed and the bedroom, but a misstep and the setup might look hideous. This route isn’t for the inexperienced.
The Bed Needs To Upgrade Its Skirt!
Bed skirts have a functionally important purpose. However, they’re also something of a hassle themselves. The conventional bed skirt is difficult to place on the bed and far more troubling to clean and maintain.
For most of us, it makes better sense to use bed skirt alternatives that offer similar functionality, without all the trouble. Fashion and design sensibilities change with time. It’s time for the classic bed skirt to get on with the times.